• Welcome to RAIL - Back On Track Forum.
 

Article: Rock relief for bus drivers

Started by ozbob, April 01, 2011, 05:33:20 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

ozbob

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Rock relief for bus drivers

QuoteRock relief for bus drivers
Daniel Hurst
April 1, 2011 - 5:29AM

The number of people hurling rocks at buses has dramatically fallen, new Brisbane City Council figures show.

Recorded rock and slingshot incidents halved from 278 in 2009 to 139 last year, according to figures released to brisbanetimes.com.au.

Nearly 240 such incidents were logged in 2008.

The council's public and active transport committee chair, Margaret de Wit, said the council could not control the actions of the "foolish minority" throwing rocks and aiming sling-shots at buses.

However, she said the decision to ramp up safety and security measures on Brisbane's buses was helping to keep operators and passengers safe.

"In the last few years we've really ramped it up against people who threaten the safety of our bus drivers and passengers, with the rollout of everything from anti-shatter windows to security guards on key routes," Cr de Wit said.

"The safety of our bus drivers and passengers is paramount, so to see these measures helping to make their journey safer is very pleasing and will go a long way to making buses a more attractive option over being stuck in traffic in your car."

In 2009, the council responded to a spike in rock attacks by boosting its existing $36,000 a month bus network patrols, with security cars tailing vehicles travelling through stone-throwing hotspots.

In the same year, the state government announced new laws to punish rock throwers with up to two years' jail for those convicted of endangering the safe use of a vehicle.

The new offence was meant to target those at the lower end of the scale, while those who caused serious injury or death would face more serious existing criminal charges.

Robert Dow, from commuter lobby group Rail Back on Track, said he was pleased to see a reduction in the number of rock attacks on the Brisbane bus network, but 139 was still too many.

"It's potentially a very dangerous thing in that the driver could potentially lose control of the bus and when you view it in that light it's a pretty serious offence," he said.

"Anything that can be done to reduce the incidence is a good thing."

Mr Dow said he would support a community education campaign emphasising the risks.

Rock throwers have targeted buses, trains, taxis, ambulances and other vehicles in recent years.

Assaults on bus drivers have also been in the spotlight. Last year, the state government and the Transport Workers Union launched a bus safety committee after an increase in assaults.

There were 79 recorded assaults on bus drivers last financial year, with the union particularly worried about incidents on the Sunshine and Gold coasts.
Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
Ozbob's Gallery Forum   Facebook  X   Mastodon  BlueSky

ButFli


🡱 🡳